George (Mike) LaMair Obituary

George (Mike) Arthur LaMair, 92, died on August 24, 2025, in Des Moines. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Iles Dunn's Chapel on Grand Ave. There will be a private Mass of Christian Burial for family and close friends at St. Augustin’s Church, followed by private interment at Glendale Cemetery.

Mike was born on August 14, 1933, in Omaha, NE, to George and Katherine LaMair. He was a graduate of Roosevelt High School and Iowa State University. Mike was on the swim team for both Roosevelt and Iowa State, where he earned Cyclone All-American status in 1951-52. On December 27, 1955, he married Jane Ann Miller in Des Moines. Mike served in the Army Corps of Engineers and the Army Reserve for 7 years, where he earned the status of Captain.

He spent his entire career in the insurance industry, retiring in 1997 as President and Partner of LaMair, Mulock, and Condon Co. Mike was an active member of the Rotary Club of Des Moines, as well as many other organizations. He was a longtime member of St. Augustin’s Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, and the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.

Mike was an early member of Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (1983) and later joined as a board member in 1994, serving on the board for 20 years, including as board chair from 2001-2003.

Mike enjoyed his longtime affiliation with INHF. He was committed to land conservation and was especially proud of the conservation easements he placed on his own properties in Iowa and Missouri. He made a definite impact by preserving land for nature and agricultural use only.

Mike always enjoyed the outdoors and being in the woods, hunting and hiking. He taught his kids and grandkids how to love and appreciate the outdoors, and loved spending time there with them and friends, regardless of the weather.

Mike was an avid handball, tennis, and cribbage player. He and Jane loved to travel for business and pleasure. They took many trips together, with other couples, and on family vacations, backpacking, camping, and skiing. He and Jane loved entertaining friends and family (as long as guests left by 9 p.m.).

Mike is preceded in death by Jane Ann, his wife and best friend of more than 60 years, who died in 2016. He is survived by his seven children: Michael (Harriet) LaMair, Anne (Antonio) Orosco, Mark (Dana) LaMair, Teresa (Bart) Jenson, Greg (Linda) LaMair, Martha LaMair, and Mary Pat LaMair; nineteen grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation or the Children's Exhibit at the Jester Park Nature Center.

Arrangements by Iles Dunn’s Chapel.

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